06-17-2009, 11:06 AM
[cool]Rather than shopping at a general sporting goods outlet, or even a fishing-oriented store, go online and spend some time looking at the options and comparing them...and prices. A good place to buy booties is:
[url "http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear/Boots.html"]http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear/Boots.html[/url]
You don't need the more expensive 3mm. 2mm will work fine for our needs. Get a good sole, and preferably with a heel ridge to keep the fin straps from sliding off easily. The low cuts work better for pulling on over waders and it does not hurt them to make a cut in the top. I fished one pair for several months, with a cut in them, without ever seeing any further tearing. The main reason I finally put a strap across them was to keep them from coming off in snow or mud, if I had to walk in them without having my fins on. Once the fins are on, they aren't going anywhere.
As I mentioned, I have size 13 feet. I found that I could get by with either a size 15 or 16 bootie, over fully loaded waders. The size 16 works best. I suspect that most models will vary slightly in cut and fit. Hope you guess right on the first try. After you cut them, you own them.
Here is a picture of the booties I currently use, with cut and flap modifications. I had to pay more for the large size models, but I think standard price is about $30.
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[url "http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear/Boots.html"]http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear/Boots.html[/url]
You don't need the more expensive 3mm. 2mm will work fine for our needs. Get a good sole, and preferably with a heel ridge to keep the fin straps from sliding off easily. The low cuts work better for pulling on over waders and it does not hurt them to make a cut in the top. I fished one pair for several months, with a cut in them, without ever seeing any further tearing. The main reason I finally put a strap across them was to keep them from coming off in snow or mud, if I had to walk in them without having my fins on. Once the fins are on, they aren't going anywhere.
As I mentioned, I have size 13 feet. I found that I could get by with either a size 15 or 16 bootie, over fully loaded waders. The size 16 works best. I suspect that most models will vary slightly in cut and fit. Hope you guess right on the first try. After you cut them, you own them.
Here is a picture of the booties I currently use, with cut and flap modifications. I had to pay more for the large size models, but I think standard price is about $30.
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